Melanie Simms
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melaniesimms.bsky.social
Melanie Simms
@melaniesimms.bsky.social

Professor of Work and Employment. Specialism in unions and worker voice. Promoter of social sciences. Fascinated by pretty much everything. She/her

Political science 37%
Public Health 21%

Because I’m a union nerd, there’s nothing I love more than spending time at union conferences. Thank you to Nautilus for giving me a chance to speak about the Employment Rights Bill today. I’m loving hearing about the great work you’re doing for your members.
just learned we won an award for our blog post about Tom Holland and stormwater management.

remember, when you see an article about stormwater management, you repost it. i don’t make the rules.
What Tom Holland’s historic lip-sync showcase taught us about stormwater management
Grab your umbrella and your tights.
neorsd.medium.com

Work to do. But go science!
British and Australian chemists have discovered a powerful new antibiotic called pre-methylenomycin C lactone, hiding in a well-known soil bacterium. This molecule kills drug-resistant bacteria without triggering resistance. buff.ly/YlXaONo
#ShareGoodNewsToo
Scientists find hidden antibiotic 100x stronger against deadly superbugs
A team of scientists discovered a hidden antibiotic 100 times stronger than existing drugs against deadly superbugs like MRSA. The molecule had been overlooked for decades in a familiar bacterium. It…
buff.ly

Correct opinion. I really don’t get modern print design with a million whacky fonts. I just want to be able to read what it says. #OldSkool

A 2 day trip to London has reinforced to me that the south of the UK has not accepted that it is no longer a cold place. This is Spring/early summer temps in Scotland.
📣Our UofG Library Visiting Research Fellowships are now open for applications!

We’re delighted to invite scholars from across the globe to apply to work with our internationally significant collections.

Apply at: www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/li...

📆Closing date: 5 January 2026

#UofGLibraryFellows

I’ve lived in both cities. They are an interesting comparison. Even though the data shows Glasgow to have the bigger income/wealth inequalities, you FEEL it more in Oxford. There’s something interesting going on.

Reposted by Melanie Simms

It's all very Keynesian: What do we want the U.S. economy to look like? Not like this, I think.

People’s reactions are wild. What I found challenging today is that even I sometimes fall for this rubbish in my own internal monologue. Thanks capitalism - and eldest daughter syndrome!!

I thought I was incompetently behind on my work. Turned out I just needed a morning of not being sick to catch up. Gah! Bollox to the ideal worker myth. It messes us up!
6 days to go to apply to 2 postdoc positions (3-year and 2-year) at @ucl.ac.uk with @pravpatalay.bsky.social!
For all those interested in employment<->health, trade unions & longitudinal methods.
Feel free to share.
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPB406/r...
Research Fellow (x2 posts) at UCL
Apply for the Research Fellow (x2 posts) role on jobs.ac.uk, the top job board for academic positions in higher education. View details and apply now.
www.jobs.ac.uk

Reposted by Melanie Simms

Are you a PhD student with an interest in devolution, Scottish politics, elections? 🗳️ 🚨

We have an exciting opportunity for a Scottish Graduate School of Social Science @sgsss.bsky.social PhD student to join our 'Election team' next year.

Find out more:
www.sgsss.ac.uk/internship/c...

I evangelise about the scotrail over 50s card. Best thing about aging!!!

Yes #MAFUK needs to learn about queer culture. It also needs to learn about West Country culture. I get you my queen. #GoApril

Mr L is working late two days in a row. (Midnight return so no chance to watch TV). I have to avoid both Bake Off and Traitors spoilers for 48 hours. Pain…
really pleased to be able to write about our latest report on strengthening the resilience of our public bodies for LSE!

Written with @martinmckee.bsky.social .

Report here
www.ucl.ac.uk/policy-lab/n...

blog here
blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsoci...

For the first time in my professional life, I have just had a reply all accident. The SHAME!
Okay, for the folks who asked: here's the majority AI view, writing up the reasonable, thoughtful view on AI that the vast majority of people in tech hold, that gets overshadowed by the bluster and hype of the tycoons trying to shill their nonsense. anildash.com/2025/10/17/t... Please share!
The Majority AI View - Anil Dash
A blog about making culture. Since 1999.
anildash.com

Reposted by Melanie Simms

Missed this last week - the return of Collective Bargaining, in the #SocialCare sector. A considered and even handed article by @sarahoconnorft.ft.com, featuring a quote from @melaniesimms.bsky.social #HR #EmployeeRelations
on.ft.com/4n2JVam
The most radical Labour plan you haven’t heard about
Collective bargaining in social care could save an ailing sector — but only if it’s done properly
on.ft.com

Continuing our year of ferries.

Reposted by Melanie Simms

Private equity wrecked UK high street, says Iceland Foods boss

PE model - low wages, cut staff/investment, high debt, profiteering, tax abuse.

PE devoured Debenhams, Maplin, Byron Burger, Cath Kidson, Comet, Flybe, Poundworld, Toys R Us.

Controls care homes, vets, supermarkets.
archive.ph/tJVkV
Private equity has wrecked the high street, says Iceland boss
Richard Walker says private buyers take out costs and fail to invest then sell to the highest bidder in a cycle that makes retailers steadily worse
www.thetimes.com

The morning has been spent on the Glasgow to Oban train line. One of the most beautiful journeys in the world.

University catering services is where I learned the term.

I was just going to say exactly this.
This result is hard to reconcile with persistently low investment levels in the UK - if jobs are in shorter supply, this is more likely due to old-fashioned cost-cutting than increases in business investment in AI www.theguardian.com/money/2025/o...
Gen Z faces ‘job-pocalypse’ as global firms prioritise AI over new hires, report says
British Standards Institution study across seven countries found quarter of bosses believe entry-level tasks could be automated to reduce costs
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Melanie Simms

This result is hard to reconcile with persistently low investment levels in the UK - if jobs are in shorter supply, this is more likely due to old-fashioned cost-cutting than increases in business investment in AI www.theguardian.com/money/2025/o...
Gen Z faces ‘job-pocalypse’ as global firms prioritise AI over new hires, report says
British Standards Institution study across seven countries found quarter of bosses believe entry-level tasks could be automated to reduce costs
www.theguardian.com

No - labo(u)r relations

I often wonder why I watch MAFS. Yes it’s set up. Yes it’s soap opera. And then there’s such a tender moment that we can all learn from.

Reposted by Melanie Simms

Visit the #JIR YouTube channel—it’s full of content perfect for classroom use or professional practice. You’ll find interviews with renowned scholars, case studies, and more.

www.youtube.com/@JournalofIn...

#videoabstracts #JIR #industrialrelations

I like this article a lot - unsurprisingly.
Great column from @sarahoconnorft.ft.com where she casts her forensic eye over the introduction of collective bargaining in the social care sector. TL:DR it could work given adult care is a weird market largely paid for by local authorities; but as usual will there be enough cash? on.ft.com/4mSfeVm
The most radical Labour plan you haven’t heard about
Collective bargaining in social care could save an ailing sector — but only if it’s done properly
on.ft.com